I'm not one to turn down chocolates or flowers on Valentine's day but let's
face it, they're a bit old hat aren't they?
With the power of the internet at our fingers, we could all manage something just a little bit more original. It's time to make this a Valentine's to remember, with a special night out, romantic break away or an amazing experience for two to share.
While there are plenty of great internet travel and gift retailers, one site is hard to beat. Lastminute.com is the perfect place to plan your ultimate romantic gesture.
If you don't immediately see something that takes your fancy, your best bet is to use the category menu on the left-hand side of the home page. You will find the latest deals divided into holidays, skiing, hotels, flights, luxury breaks, top destinations, restaurants, going out, stay in/eat in, experiences, sport and gifts.
There are loads of packages, including some great city breaks for a touch of culture. Why not take your loved one for a weekend seeing the sights in Barcelona, Rome or Amsterdam?
Alternatively, you could put your own weekend together by matching up flights and hotel deals. If you prefer to stay closer to home, you'll find hotels all around the UK with some excellent value offers, including up to 70 per cent off London hotels and country retreats in Bath, Stratford-upon-Avon and Cumbria.
Look under luxury breaks for lavish weekends away, like a two-night stay in Rome with flights and four-star hotel for £239 per person and a fun weekend at Disneyland Paris (£360 each).
For something a bit different, try the experiences section, divided into tantalising sub-categories like up in the air, inspirational and health and beauty. The breadth of choice should provide something for everyone with designer haircuts (£45), a high-speed passenger trip in a race-prepared sports car (£35) and brunch on the Orient Express for two (£250).
Most romantic of all is probably the opportunity to have a special song created for your partner with your own lyrics put to music, recorded on to CD and delivered with a bottle of champagne (£425).
It's also worth keeping an eye on the auctions section, a great place to pick up a bargain. Gift ideas include antiques, art and jewellery, a weekend in Vienna and a night in a remote Scottish hideaway.
The site is slick and professional with plenty of information, including photos of hotel rooms, descriptions of facilities and details of everything included in the price. New items are added each day but don't delay booking as things get snapped up quickly.
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